Daily Fantasy Lineup Leans: Starts, Sits and PP1 Watch for March 8

Today’s slate is loaded with injury fallout, new faces in new places, and a few sneaky goalie spots that can swing your matchup. With projected lineups and starters mostly settled, it’s time to lock in your starts, sits, and streams. Below, we’ll focus on who you can trust today, who’s worth a speculative add, and where potential PP1 auditions could create short-term fantasy value.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The headline story is Nazem Kadri returning to the Colorado Avalanche as a third-line center. Even in a depth role, Kadri’s presence stabilizes Colorado’s middle six and gives them another proven offensive option behind their stars. For fantasy, that means another viable start in points formats, especially if he sees secondary power-play work or late-game offensive-zone usage.

In Minnesota, Bobby Brink is set to debut for the Minnesota Wild on the second line. That’s a strong signal of intent from the coaching staff: they want him in a scoring role right away. Any hint of power-play time would make him an immediate streaming option in deeper points leagues, particularly with linemates likely tilted toward offense.

The blue line shakeup comes in Detroit, where Justin Faulk makes his first appearance for the Detroit Red Wings. Slotted as a top-four defenseman, Faulk could quickly work his way into power-play usage. Even if he starts on the second unit, Detroit’s man-advantage has enough talent that a PP2 quarterback is still fantasy-relevant in many formats.

In goal, both sides of the Tampa Bay–Buffalo matchup are fantasy-relevant. Jonas Johansson is expected to start for the Tampa Bay Lightning in what profiles as a favorable matchup, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is set to go for the Buffalo Sabres. With both netminders confirmed or strongly projected, managers in categories leagues need to decide whether to chase volume, wins, or ratios.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

Kadri’s return to Colorado is the most straightforward points-only call: start him. Even as a third-line center, he should see enough offensive-zone usage and secondary power-play time to generate assists and chip in goals. Colorado’s depth means he’ll rarely be stuck with non-scoring linemates, and he has a track record of producing even without top-line deployment.

Brink is the classic high-upside stream. A second-line role for the Wild suggests he’ll be deployed in a scoring capacity, and coaches often give new arrivals a brief leash to show what they can do. If he sneaks onto PP2—or even gets a look on the top unit—his value spikes for points-only formats. For today, he’s a viable plug-in if you need scoring and can tolerate some risk.

Faulk’s debut with Detroit is more of a medium-term play, but there’s immediate upside if he’s trusted with power-play duties. Even if he doesn’t land on PP1 right away, a PP2 role on a competent Red Wings attack can still yield assists and secondary points. In pure points leagues, he’s a fringe start today if you’re light on defensemen, with the potential to become an every-night option if his usage trends up.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat formats, Kadri’s appeal goes beyond points. His style of play typically brings shots and some physicality, making him a strong across-the-board contributor when he’s engaged. Today, he’s a clear start if you’re chasing shots or peripheral volume, even if his ice time is slightly sheltered.

Brink is more speculative in bangers leagues. His primary value is offense, so unless your league heavily rewards shots, he’s more of a deeper-league stream than a must-start. That said, a second-line role should give him enough minutes to at least contribute in SOG, and any power-play time would add hits to his counting stats if he plays a net-front or retrieval role.

Faulk is quietly one of the more interesting category plays today. As a top-four defenseman, he should log solid minutes, which translates into blocks, some hits, and a decent shot volume from the blue line. If he’s on either power-play unit, you also get access to power-play points and extra SOG. In leagues that reward blocks and shots from defensemen, he’s a strong start with potential to become a rest-of-season hold.

In net, both Johansson and Luukkonen are viable starts in categories formats. Johansson’s matchup leans favorable, making him attractive if you’re chasing a win and decent save percentage. Luukkonen, meanwhile, offers strong volume potential; if you’re behind in saves or need to maximize goalie starts, he’s a justifiable play even if the matchup isn’t pristine. In head-to-head, consider your current ratios: if you’re protecting a slim lead in GAA and SV%, you might choose only one of them rather than rolling both.

Dynasty / Keeper

In dynasty, Kadri is more of a short-term asset than a building block, but his return to a strong Avalanche lineup keeps his trade value intact. If you’re contending, he’s a solid hold and start; if you’re rebuilding, this is a window to shop him while his role and name value are fresh in managers’ minds, potentially using the NHL Trade Analyzer to gauge offers.

Brink is the most intriguing long-term piece here. A second-line debut for the Wild suggests the organization sees him as more than just depth. In dynasty, that’s exactly the type of early deployment you want to chase. Even if today’s results are modest, the process—top-six usage, possible power-play looks—is a green flag. He’s a strong stash if available, and a reasonable buy-low target if his current manager is focused only on short-term production.

Faulk’s move to Detroit could extend his fantasy relevance window. A top-four role on a rising Red Wings team gives him a stable platform for multi-year value, especially if he locks in a consistent power-play role. In dynasty, he’s a worthwhile target for contenders who need reliable blue-line depth and a steady stream of peripherals.

For goalies, Luukkonen remains the more compelling long-term piece. A confirmed starting role for the Sabres today is another data point that the organization trusts him. In keeper formats, every start he gets as the clear No. 1 cements his value. Johansson is more of a short- to medium-term play unless he unexpectedly seizes a larger role, but his starts on a strong Lightning team are still valuable for contenders.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Nazem Kadri – Add/Start (standard leagues): Back in a strong Avalanche lineup with clear offensive upside even from the third line.
Bobby Brink – Short-term stream (deeper points leagues): Second-line debut for the Wild with potential power-play exposure makes him a high-upside flier.
Justin Faulk – Add/Watch (standard and deep leagues): Top-four role in Detroit with a realistic path to PP time and strong multi-cat peripherals.
Jonas Johansson – Start (categories and points): Expected Lightning starter in a favorable matchup, offering win equity and solid ratios.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen – Start (categories, volume-focused): Locked-in Sabres starter who can rack up saves and remains a key long-term piece.

Fantasy Takeaways

Start Nazem Kadri today in most formats; his return to Colorado’s lineup should immediately translate into usable offense and solid peripherals.
Stream Bobby Brink if you need scoring upside, especially in deeper points leagues where a second-line debut and potential PP time matter.
Use Jonas Johansson as a confident start for wins and ratios, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is a strong volume play if you’re chasing goalie categories.
Target Justin Faulk as both a short-term start and a longer-term add, with his top-four role in Detroit offering blocks, shots, and PP upside.
In dynasty, prioritize stashing Brink and reinforcing your blue line with Faulk, while leveraging Kadri’s name value in trades if you’re rebuilding.

Source: NHL.com. See the original for full details.